The first match of the two-Test series between Pakistan and New Zealand is being played in Karachi. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan have scored 317 runs for five wickets till the end of the first day’s play. Babar Azam is unbeaten on 161 runs and Agha Salman is unbeaten on three runs. At one stage Pakistan had lost three wickets for 48 runs. Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq had returned to the pavilion.

After this, Babar along with Saud Shakeel took the fourth wicket

Played a partnership of 62 runs. Shakeel got out after scoring 22 runs. After this, wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed, who returned to the team after almost four years, played an amazing innings and together with Babar, took Pakistan out of trouble and brought it to a strong position.

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Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz played the last Test against South Africa in January 2019

The 35-year-old former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz last played a Test in January 2019 against South Africa. After this, after the arrival of Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz was dropped from the team in the Test. However, Rizwan, who was running out of form against New Zealand, was dropped and Sarfaraz was included in the playing-11 and his innings of 86 runs in 153 balls gave a befitting reply to the team management and critics.

Sarfaraz, 35, hit nine fours in his innings. Also shared a 196-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Babar. Now Rizwan’s place in the Test is in jeopardy. Sarfaraz was ignored after Mohammad Wasim Abbasi became the chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team in 2020. Apart from the Test, Sarfaraz also played the last ODI in April 2021. There, the last T20 was played in November 2021.

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Nothing is right between rizwan sarfaraz

However, now Sarfaraz is back with a bang. It was also revealed in media reports that nothing is right between Rizwan Sarfaraz and Rizwan never wants to see Sarfaraz return to the team. However, with Rameez Raja stepping down as PCB chief, Abbasi stepping down as chief selector and Shahid Afridi becoming the new chief selector, Sarfaraz made a comeback and scored his 19th half-century in his 50th Test. Rizwan played in all the three Tests against England and scored a total of 141 runs in the last six innings. This includes innings of 19, 7, 10, 30, 29 and 46 runs. This is the reason why Sarfaraz was given a chance.

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Sarfaraz was caught by Ejaz Patel at the hands of Daryl Mitchell. For New Zealand, Ejaz Patel and Michael Bracewell got two wickets each. At the same time, captain Tim Southee got a wicket. The Pakistan team is already out of the race for the World Test Championship final. At the same time, the road ahead for New Zealand is difficult.